Wolverhampton family provides vital help with food delivery and support service
It’s a real family affair in a street where one household has been leading the efforts to look after those self-isolating.
The Rutter family has been coming to the aid of elderly and vulnerable people in Simmons Road, Ashmore Park who, through self-isolation or instructions to stay indoors during the coronavirus pandemic, have been unable to leave their homes.
They started a food delivery and support service being set up by a family living on the street to help anyone unable to shop, pick up medication or access basic services.
Sarah Rutter set up the service when the lockdown restrictions were put in place and, along with her husband Neil and children James and Libby, has worked tirelessly to ensure everyone gets help if they really need it.
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The 45-year-old school ambassador at Corpus Christi school in Ashmore Park said the service was an extension of what she and her family would normally do.
She said: “It’s something we’ve always done as we do a food bank and uniform bank every week.
“We take in all bedding and sleeping bags, tents and other things for the homeless and we do family support transitions, helping a family leaving a hostel to settle in a new home with furnishings.”
The Rutter family have worked to keep the community connected through a WhatsApp group and have delivered food parcels and medication throughout the lockdown period.
Eleven-year-old James and 16-year-old Libby have been applauded by the street through their work delivering food and other supplies.
James said it made him feel like he was contributing to something.
He said: “It makes me feel good about myself and that I’m doing something to help out.
“I’m helping my mum where I can, delivering food with my sister and leaving it for people to collect.”
Libby said: “We’ve been able to do some good in the area and really help put a smile on people’s faces, so it’s been really nice.”
Sarah said the reception from her neighbours and the rest of the street had been wonderful, with flowers and thank you cards being sent to them.
However, she said the work must go on for as long as the lockdown takes place and also stated she’d like the community spirit to continue going forward.
She said: “Everybody keeps saying ‘when we get back to normal’ but, you know what, I don’t want normal.
“I want what we’ve got now, which is where everybody’s actually realising that you can support and help each other and talk and think it’s just a wonderful world, minus the virus, obviously.”
